Wisdom by Cohen
11 pieces of wisdom
“What really matters is the name you succeed in imposing on the facts -- not the facts themselves.”
“Nothing can so alienate a voter from the political system as backing a winning candidate.”
“At any one time, thousands of borough councilmen, school board members, attorneys, and businessmen -- as well as congressmen, senators, and governors -- are dreaming of the White House, but few, if any of them, will make it.”
“Power attracts people but it cannot hold them.”
“The more qualified candidates who are available, the more likely the compromise will be on the candidate whose main qualification is a nonthreatening incompetence.”
“There are many inside dopes in politics and government.”
“Those who express random thoughts to legislative committees are often surprised and appalled to find themselves the instigators of law.”
“Political power is as permanent as today's newspaper. Ten years from now, few will know or care who the most powerful man in any state was today.”
“The best way to publicize a governmental or political action is to attempt to hide it.”
“Victory goes to the candidate with the most accumulated or contributed wealth who has the financial resources to convince the middle class and poor that he will be on their side.”
“Wisdom is considered a sign of weakness by the powerful because a wise man can lead without power but only a powerful man can lead without wisdom.”